December 27, 2021

Last transfer for the dream team!

Hey guys Elder Adams here. How's it going? Hopefully good!

This week, Elder Frogley and I were informed that we would probably be transferred after this transfer so that was some sad news. Elder Frogley is such a good person and a great missionary and I am glad that I have had this opportunity to be his companion! This week was a slow one, probably because of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we had a mission wide conference. I was able to hear President Brown sing. Let me tell you, that man has some vocals ahaha. I was surprised. This week we taught a few lessons and those were super cool because I saw their eyes light up after I taught them about the gospel. Whether that was teaching them about the plan of salvation or if it was about the restoration. What a wonderful experience I have had out here in North Carolina. Many of you know that I came home for about 8 months for a knee surgery but in those 8 months, I had the hardest time deciding if I wanted to come back out or not. Those 8 months were probably the hardest 8 months of my life so far because of all the pressure I was feeling about going back out. But looking back on it now, I can see why I went through that. I was so close to not coming back out and that kind of scares me because now I have seen how great the experiences have been out here. Guys I wouldn't trade this for anything, not even a pair of shoes ahaha. I think that is the biggest lesson that I have learned out here. I've learned about the importance of a mission and how it can change someone. This knowledge that I am gaining of the gospel is something that is so powerful. It is something that will help me in the future whether is be with my future wife, family, or career. What a wonderful opportunity that I have and every other missionary is to learn more about Jesus Christ and his gospel and how it works, especially how the Spirit works. So cool!

This week for pday, we went golfing which was a blast and then we went on a hike! It was super fun to get out and see nature but at the same time I hate hiking. I used to say that hiking is a lousy way to work out ahaha! But this hike was definitely worth it. We were able to see an out look of the whole city and even up to Boone. I'll send some pictures. 

1. Picture of the look out.

2. Waiting for someone to do the titanic picture with me.

3. Mission picture 

4. Stopped because we saw a sign.

 

 December 12, 2021

Hey you what's up!

Elder Frogley and I just got the news that we are staying here in Lenoir for another transfer! That was the best news for me.  This past week was a different one starting on Tuesday, we had a lot of weird things happen to us.  

Story one:  On Tuesday, we were coming home from a dinner appointment and Elder Frogley said "look out, there is a deer on the side of the road" and right as soon as he said that, a deer ran out into the road and smacked into our car. I was definitely in shock. 

Story two:  On Sunday, we had 3 of our investigators come to church so that was exciting.  Ruben is one that we were teaching a while ago and he just showed up.  We thought that he had passed away so that was very strange. Sunday was pretty eventful.  

Story three:   Monday came around and the weirdness just kept coming...First off, the Boone Elders and us have a game that we play sometimes when we are together.  After we eat lunch with them, we throw our drinks at each other's cars.  So today after they dropped us off at our apartment, we threw some drinks at their car then they came and threw some drinks at our car. Now our neighbor saw us raising havoc and decided to talk with us about it (we always clean up our mess after the game is over). She was upset because she said that the drinks got on her car and that we needed to clean it! So, we cleaned her car like good disciples of Christ would and then we went inside. It had not been but only like 15 minutes when she decided to come back and to tell us that that she was the HSA president (whatever that means) and that she could have us evicted. So meanwhile when all of this was happening, the Boone Elders went to Walmart, purchased some cheese, came back and threw it on our car. She started yelling at them then came to our door and knocked for a third time and said "you might want to get the cheese off your car!" When we went out there, saw that there were only 2 slices of cheese on our car and then thought to ourselves "why wouldn't she have just taken them off?"  But instead, I think that she wanted teach us another lesson.  LOL. We were a little fed up. The next day, I decided to make her my moms famous No Bake cookies for an apology so now we are all good.

Story four: that Monday night, Elder Frogley and I decided to go on a hike to a place that is called hibriten. We got there and we started hiking up the trail. Well about 20 minutes had passed by and we were no where near the peak of the hike where we were trying to get to to catch the sunset. We looked to our left and saw the power line trail (that literally scales the mountain) and decided to take that route.  We went a little more and then realized that we had missed the sunset. So we decide to go back down before it got too dark. Eventually we reached the bottom of the hike and there was Tacoma truck at the end of the trail with its brights on intentionally on us and he was making it so hard to see.  We walked down to the truck a guy got out and shined a flash light at us so.  We started to walk over to him and he started to yell "that's far enough, stand back because I don't have a mask on!"  He proceeded to yell at us telling us that the hike is private property and that we were trespassing because it was after dark. We responded that it was a public hiking place and he said NO because it was after dark. He then told us we were on camera.  I think that the man was crazy!  We started for our car and found a note from him that said "hiking and parking after dark is prohibited. You are trespassing on private property after dark. Please read all signs. Went up at 4:58 sunset was at 5:12 plate was given to police. Subject to tow." We couldn't believe it.

So anyways, crazy week. I love my mission and the things it has taught me. I also love how it has deepened my testimony of our Savior and I will always cherish that. Love you guys and miss you all so much!

1. Car damage from deer

2. Hike picture

3. Crazy man's note

4. The Lenoir Elders dripping out

 December 6, 2021

Howdy Howdy Howdy! 

I hope that everyone is doing good! This week was a good one. It was a little slow but that is normal sometimes.  We did visit a lot of people, but unfortunately, there was not a whole lot of success. I was a little disappointed but one key thing that I've learned while being out on my mission is patience. Before my mission, I would say that I was already pretty patient and pretty easy going most of the time. While being out here in North Carolina, I have had some ups and downs and it has taken me a little bit to realize that that is completely normal. It is normal to have trials and roadblocks. God places things in our path for a reason and on purpose so we we can (1.) Learn from our mistakes and/or trails. (2.)  Progress so we can come closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. That is so hard to realize while you are in the middle of something hard, but it is the truth.

This week I have been studying from Alma and specifically from Alma 22/23. A brief overview of these chapters is that the Lamanites become less wicked and  become closer to God. Even so much that they lay down there weapons of war while they are in the middle of a war. They become so righteous that the curse of the Lamanites is taken away. The Lamanites are said in the Book of Mormon, to be the most fallen people to ever roam this earth. This chapter talks about the Atonement. The Atonement is the one thing that can make anything clean. The Atonement made the most wicked people on the face of the earth completely clean and pure again. How amazing is that? How amazing is it to know that God loved us so much that he sent his Only Begotten Son, so that we may return back to his presence.

I hope that everyone is having a Christ - Centered Holiday Season.  I wish the best to everyone.

Love, Elder Adams

1. The cops

2. Lunch with President 

3. Home

 November 29, 2021

Yoyoyoyo what is up!

I turned 20 today! What the heck, that makes me feel so old now!!  Now. I was talking to my mom and we I told her that her youngest child is now 20 and she got mad at me haha. A year ago on my birthday, I was home with a sore knee with covid. Crazy to think that I could still be home right now but I am so happy with the decision that I made to come back out on my mission.  It has changed my life forever! Just in the past 4 months I feel like I have changed for the best. I have changed spiritually. I have gained a deeper understanding and testimony for the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Let me just express how important that is to me... I would not be here if I did not know 100% how important the gospel is to every individual. I would not have come back out if I did not know the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. This is the best joy I have ever felt.  Bringing people closer to Jesus Christ is so rewarding and it makes me happy. 

Anyways, this past week has been amazing! It went really fast and we had a baptism this weekend. We were able to baptize Sebastian!  Woot woot! This week we also taught a bunch of lessons to people and that was cool! Church was amazing too. The spirit was so strong there!  We also baptized Camille earlier this week. She is awesome! She and her brother are just the most friendly and bright little kids that I know! They are always happy to see elder Frogley and I. Every time we pass the sacrament, they always wave at us haha. 

I am doing well and I love all you! Cant wait to see you all again!

1. Baptism with Sebastian 

2. Us just having some fun

3. My mom said enough of the sunset pics but here is another one:)